TEAM HERALD
bureau@herald-goa.com
PONDA: In support of All India Motor Transport Congress (AIMTC) strike to protest against entry tax on outstation vehicles entering Goa, the Ponda Goods Transport Association (PGTA) too has decided to keep transport vehicles off the road from Monday.
The decision was taken during the general body meeting of PGTA in Ponda on Sunday.
Speaking to Herald, PGTA members informed that there won’t be any transport, either industrial or commercial, from Monday till the State government revokes its decision on entry tax.
“The transporters pay Rs 1,200 unofficially for a truck to make entry and exit from the State. Police at the check post, excise officials and even RTO officers have to be paid unofficially while making entry and exit which comes to around Rs 1,200” claimed a transporter during the meeting.
“And now we have to pay even more for entering the State when there is no proper infrastructure in place. This is not acceptable and we condemn the decision of the State government. Our strike will continue till the entry tax is revoked,” he added.
With 300 members, the PGTA claimed that 90 per cent of the goods transport offices operate from Ponda and from Monday none of the transport vehicles will lift material from the companies.
“There is risk involved as there will be a total stoppage of transport beyond State’s borders during the protest,” said a transporter.
